STRANDED AT SEA Resolving a Humanitarian Crisis As the consequences of COVID-19 spread around the world through 2020, transport and logistics came into sharp focus as a critical sector, ensuring that food, medical supplies, fuel, and other essential goods continued to be delivered. With 90% of goods transported by sea, seafarers represent the lifeblood of the global economy. Yet as lockdown and travel restrictions continued, crews were increasingly prevented from coming ashore for fear of them spreading the coronavirus. 2020 is culminating in a humanitarian crisis at sea, with over 400,000 seafarers “stranded” aboard ships. Many have worked nine months straight (and counting) beyond their contracts, unable to return home. A similar number of workers urgently need to join ships to replace them. Suicide rates among seafarers have increased, and physical and mental fatigue, anxiety about loved ones, and lack of connectivity to keep in touch are all exacerbating the crisis. Compulsory unpaid long working hours and off-contract are leading in many cases to situations of forced labour. The potential for serious accidents on ships with overworked and stressed crews increases daily. The logistical and cost implications of ensuring crew changes are significant – the rules for port restrictions, flight availability, border controls, and visa requirements vary from country to country – yet the consequences of leaving seafarers to shoulder the burden are unacceptable. Workers’ Federation has been working tirelessly to assist stranded seafarers. Shipping companies and customers are calling for action. The CEOs of 30 global brands signed a letter seeking urgent measures to protect seafarers’ wellbeing and rights by unblocking sea routes. Numerous initiatives and protocols are being developed to address the crisis. Pressure will increase in 2021 on governments to address the crisis. Companies must act too. There are reports of some shipping customers refusing to authorise deviations from contracted shipping routes, unwilling to share the additional cost or delay of crew change. Charterers in particular are urged to adopt and implement where necessary BIMCO’s crew change contract clause. Companies relying on ocean transportation must push for humanitarian relief for seafarers. Like health workers who have been rightly praised for their professionalism during the pandemic, the seafarers who keep supply chains moving, often at the cost of their own rights, must be fully protected. “ Like health workers who have been rightly praised for their professionalism during the pandemic, the seafarers who keep supply chains moving, often at the cost of their own rights, must be fully protected. ” Numerous organisations have urged governments and port authorities to develop protocols on efficient crew change, including a joint letter from the heads of UN agencies. The International Transport & Human Rights 2021 Business Top 10 Issues Institute for Human Rights and Business 9